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Why are energy labels changing?
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The European Union has issued a mandatory update of the current energy label for the following product categories:
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The EU are pushing manufacturers to make appliances more energy efficient.
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They want them to use less energy and to last longer.
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Currently 88% of Washers are A+++ which makes it very difficult to show product differences to consumers so they can’t choose a more energy efficient appliance.
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By changing the classes it will be more obvious what is an energy or water efficient appliance. The EU are making it incredibly difficult to get a product to an A or a B level – there will be no A in the short term.
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This is so that manufacturers invest in new technology and manufacturing processes to improve efficiency.
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The new measures they use to create the energy classes are closer to the behaviour and uses of our customers.
So what are the changes?
The usual "Plus" classes, such as A +++, A ++ and A +, are replaced by a uniform energy consumption scale from A to G. The seven-step color scale is retained. Due to changed measurement methods, it is not possible to convert the old label to the new label. Only approximate information is possible.
For the time being, the changes will not affect the tumble dryers, ovens and hoods. These are expected to be revised from 2022. So it is quite possible that you will find a C-Class washing machine next to an A +++ dryer.
So what do the new changes look like?
Washing Machines New Energy Label
With the redesigned energy label, some content innovations are introduced:
In general, a QR code will be found on all energy labels, which links to the EU product database EPREL. There you will find further information on the energy label and the product information sheet of the respective device. The previous Plus classes (A +++, A ++ and A +) will no longer apply to the washing machine sector. The available energy efficiency classes then range from A to G.
The consumption of water and electricity is now no longer stated on the annual value, but per single cycle and 100 cycles respectively. Also new are the introduced noise classes for the centrifugal noise from A-D to make the noise level in dB (A) more transparent.
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QR code
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Energy efficiency class*
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Weighted energy consumption* in kWh/100 operating cycles (in Eco 40-60 program)
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Maximum load capacity
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Duration of “Eco 40-60” cycle program in full load conditions
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Weighted water consumption* in litres/operating cycle (in Eco 40-60 program)
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Spin efficiency class*
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Noise emissions during spin cycle expressed in dB(A) re 1 pW and noise emission class
*Values apply to quarter, half and full loads.
Washer Dryers New Energy Label
As with all new energy labels, there will also be a QR code for the washer-dryer, which links to the EU product database EPREL. There you will find further information on the energy label and the product data sheet of the respective device. For the washer dryer area, the available energy efficiency classes continue to range from A to G. The complete layout of this product group will be revised. The washing and drying area and the washing area are shown on their own scale and the values for them are shown more clearly.
The consumption of water and electricity is now no longer stated on the annual value, but per cycle or 100 washing processes. Also new are the introduced noise classes for the centrifugal noise from A-D to make the noise level in dB (A) more transparent.
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QR code
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Energy efficiency class** (complete operating cycle)
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Energy efficiency class* (wash cycle)
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Weighted energy consumption in kWh/100 cycles (complete operating cycle**)
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Weighted energy consumption* in kWh/100 cycles (wash cycle)
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Maximum load capacity (complete operating cycle**)
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Maximum load capacity (wash cycle)
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Weighted water consumption in litres/operating cycle (complete operating cycle**)
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Weighted water consumption* in litres/operating cycle (wash cycle)
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Program duration (complete operating cycle**) in full load conditions
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Duration of “Eco 40-60” program in full load conditions
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Spin efficiency class*
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Noise emissions during spin cycle expressed in dB(A) re 1 pW and noise emission class
*Values apply to washing quarter, half and full load. While washing and drying to half and full load.
**Wash and dry.
Dishwashers New Energy Label
s part of the standardization process, the previous "Plus" classes (A +++, A ++ and A +) have also been replaced for dishwashers by a uniform scale from A to G. According to the previous standard, the new energy efficiency class B corresponds approximately to a device with A +++ -23 %. In the future, a QR code will generally be found on all energy labels, which links to the EU product database EPREL. There you will find further information on the energy label and the product data sheet of the respective device.
Furthermore, new more realistic requirements (e.g. with pots) are introduced when specifying the place settings. Therefore, the values here will now be different compared to the old energy label. The consumption of water and electricity is now no longer stated on the annual value, but per cycle or 100 flushing processes. Also new are the introduced noise classes from A-D to make the noise level in dB (A) more transparent.
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QR code
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Energy efficiency class
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Weighted energy consumption in kWh/100 operating Eco cycles
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Number of standard place settings
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Water consumption in litres/operating Eco cycle
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Duration of the “Eco” cycle
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Noise emissions expressed in dB(A) re 1 pW and noise emission class
Refrigeration New Energy Label
There will also be a QR code on the labels of the refrigerators and freezers, which links to the EU product database EPREL. There you will find further information on the energy label and the product data sheet of the respective device. The previous plus classes (A +++, A ++ and A +) will no longer apply to the area of cooling and freezing. The available energy efficiency classes then range from A to G. The new energy efficiency class A corresponds to a device with A +++ - 60% according to the previous standard.
As before, the consumption of electricity is reported on an annual basis. A-D new noise classes are new in order to make the noise level in dB (A) more transparent.
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QR code
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Energy efficiency class*
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Energy consumption in kWh/year (measured under new standard conditions)
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Total volume of all frozen compartments
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Total volume of all unfrozen compartments
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Noise emissions expresses in dB(A) re 1 pW and noise emission class
Energy Labels FAQs
I just bought a product and there were two energy labels in the packaging, one with a rating of A++ and one with a rating of E. Why are both labels in the box and why are the ratings so different?
In the transition from the current system to the new system the classes have shifted substantially. The new energy label sets much stricter standards. In addition, the measurement methods or/and reference programmes are different. This is the reason why an "A++" might become a new "C", "D" or "E", sometimes even an "F". The product you purchased is still accurately described as an A++ now but in the future it will be an E. Part of the regulations around the changeover from the old system to the new system is that both labels must be in the packaging. As a retailer we must only display the current label until March 2021 on the product in store.
Can I buy a product which will have an A or B rating in the new system?
There will be nearly no A appliances and very few B appliances under the new system. The demands for the system are very high. It was the intention of the law that the best classes remain unachievable for suppliers in the beginning to encourage them to develop more efficient appliances. Allowing the opportunity to include appliances with much better technology in the future. Thus, it is not necessary to change the scales too frequently.
